Heartthrob

The bath was, in many senses, a godsend. The heat of it, the steam in the air, the presences of comforting, safe companions... For some, especially attendees of this particular establishment, there was a sensual undertone to group bathing. The nude bodies, the incessant heat of it all, the freedom of motion given by deep water - but for Esper James, Purity, and Esthrielle, there was no such eroticism in the act so much as there was serenity and tender delight.

Even with the sudden downtone in EJ's disposition, she quickly recovered. Having a beautiful pair of women wash your hair and back for you, and doing the same to them in turn, was certainly a mood-fixer. EJ couldn't deny that, despite the lack of erotic nature in the actions, it was nice to be touched... To be felt, to be handled. It was relaxing and self-securing in a way rarely found, to give another access to your body in so intimate a way, without any expectation or offer of anything further. It almost brought with it a sense of communion, to bare one's flesh and soul and be touched upon without any pretense.

Eventually, once they were clean, they took their time to relax. Esthrielle had paid for a significant period of time, and even with the time they had already spent, there was a sort of tranquility in each one's heart that seemed to speak and say 'just five more minutes'. This sentiment was repeated once, twice, thrice, and eventually, the heat began to really wear away at Purity, visibly so. She looked so tired, in the way that exhaustive heat brings exhaustion, how a draining warmth drains you. EJ watched as the pinkette stumbled to a stand, pushing herself up and out of the tub, going to begin drying herself off.

And then, there came a knock on the door. Time to vacate? No, thought EJ, it couldn't be the abrasive owner of the place... He would've just barged in for the dual delight of seeing naked women and also getting to verbally abuse them. The trio looked towards the door and waited for the imminent opening, but none came - instead, after a minute or two, a knock came again. This time, it was louder, more insistent, but not by much. EJ, pushing herself up from the bath, took it upon herself to get up and go to address the attempted intrusion.

Her body glistened in the oppressive fluorescence of the overhead light, and her feet slapped wetly against the tiles as she made her way to the solid metal door. Est rose up as well, going to shadow her, but saying nothing - she had seen how EJ could deal with problems when the chips were down, and she trusted the ghoulette to be able to handle violence if it came to that. Esper James cracked the door open a sliver, just to peek outside, and when she did, her red-flecked emeralds widened in surprise.

The male she had seen outside earlier, the one who had attempted to approach them, stood there shivering. His cigarette was long gone - now, instead, he bore the scent of a fragrant, musky perfume, somewhere between floral and fruity and lingering baked goods, with a deep undertone of the aforementioned musk. His arms were wrapped about himself, hands on his biceps, and he was huddled down upon himself in an attempt to hide from winter's chill. His silken brown locks fell like curtains to frame his face and drape upon his back and shoulders, but they were little comfort from the frost in the air.

Before EJ could say anything, or Esthrielle could step forwards and shoo him back into the night, he spoke in a tone both hushed and urgent. "H-Hey...! I, uhm, I was just... I'll get t-t-to the point. There're some guys o-out here, say they're looking for you... At least, I as-s-ssume you? Estreal? Est-ree-elle? I j-just... You three looked nice, so I wanted to give you a h-heads up..." He smiled briefly, a wide and well-practiced beam that was cut short as he grimaced from the wind.

EJ nearly shut the door in his face to turn to Est, who stood aghast as the information relayed, but a softness in her heart got the better of her. She opened the door a bit wider, just enough for the boy to slip through, and then grabbed him by the arm and pulled him in. The door was promptly shut behind him, and Est took EJ's place to ensure it stayed closed. In the light, the street-worker was seen in more detail, and EJ couldn't help but look him over as she considered her next move in regards to the men outside.

The boy (who had stumbled to the floor) was clad in little more than a crop-top that barely went below his pecs, some similarly pathetic shorts, and a choker with spikes on it to make it seem as a collar. His arms were clad up to nearly the shoulder in long, sleek gloves, and his legs had a similarly nearly-to-the-hip pair of stockings that doubled as platform heels. Each garment was skin-tight, almost painfully so, and made of a glossy black latex - nothing to really fight off the winter's cold. But, as they say, hoes don't get cold, do they? Apparently they do.

His hair was long and gossamer, silken and straight, a lovely chestnut brown and obviously given lots of care. His skin, too, looked plenty soft and well-cared-for: sun-kissed tones that spoke of a tanning machine's touch, and free of blemish everywhere one could see. His eyes were a warm brown, as well, but it was in truth closer to amber. EJ leant down to help him stand, her hands taking him by the torso and stabilizing him as his already slick hands slipped while trying to push himself up from the wet tiles.

Purity was less upset than one would imagine by his sudden entrance, at least as far as her appearance went - she went to help EJ help him to a stand, her towel thrown away. Est, however, was less than concerned about the failed male's wellbeing - she crossed her arms and pressed her back to the door, eyes narrowing to a glare. "Ok, so. I'll come clean. With all the time I've been spending with you two, I haven't reported in for a long time, and now here I am using my associates' money to buy a bath for three? They're here for me. I can vouch for you two, but it's not gonna be easy. Just do what I say. Ok?"

EJ left the effeminate male to Purity's experienced care, turning to Est. She kept her eyes on the Wayward while going to grab a towel, drying off of utmost importance if they were going to need to leave. She went to speak even as she was drying herself, and once the drying was done, continued on while going to re-dress. "So... More people who want me dead or detained. More people who would see this whole city burn, right? And maybe it deserves to burn, but... Eugh. So, what, are we gonna pretend to be your captives? A second-living and a sympathizer?"

Est put a hand up to the bridge of her nose, pinching and massaging it, her eyes shutting. A deep, exasperated sigh rolled from her lungs, and she took a deep breath before responding. "Ok. Yeah. Sure. That works. That... Works. We'll see if they buy it, but if they think it's just me that'll be an issue... Fuck. We'll make it work, I'll do whatever they say. If they want me to come back to the convent, I can do that... You two might need to come with me. Might need to send a text to Kell, but still."

The convent? There were still a few churches in Vitus, it was true, but no convents. Anything close to a nun would be mortified to live in a place like Vitus, and given how the Catholic church viewed the second-living, the concept of it was outright blasphemous. So EJ wondered, nearly aloud, where or what Est was referring to. It was a bit absurd to think that there would be some form of underground, hidden community of fucking nuns of all things, secreted away somewhere in Vitus's underbelly.

Behind her, Purity spoke what Esper James was thinking, holding their guest close to proffer warmth despite her own nudity. "A convent? In Vitus? Next you'll tell me they're giving away free money around the corner. And you never struck me as the nun type, Est - y'know, confession booths, strict schedules, flowy robes... And more, if I'm to believe any of those videos of nuns I've seen online..." She ended the sentence with a flirtatious, teasing lilt, and in an instant Esthrielle was red as blood and fuming.

"Purity this is not the fucking time to be perverse with me about my religious affiliation. Plus, disrespecting nuns by relegating them to fetish material is... Crass! I'd bite your fucking ear off if we didn't need to get our asses in gear right now. C'mon, get dressed, I'll..." She trailed off as she realized she was still nude, too, and begrudgingly shifted away from the door to begin to dry and dress herself.

"U-Uhh, uhm, I'm... I'm Cinna, by the way... Don't worry about me, I'll just stay out of your way..." The male in Purity's arms gently pushed himself free, going to let the pinkette dress herself, too. He took a few steps to the side so that the ladies might be unhindered, and did his best not to obstruct them. Purity obliged, going to dress herself as well, though she kept casting glances over towards Cinna as he huddled near the bath to try and absorb its warmth.

Eventually, the three women were fully dressed. They looked to one another, wordless, each contemplating how to go about proceeding with the inevitable confrontation. Eventually, they came to the silent agreement for Est to go first - it only made sense, for the supposed captor to lead her captives out. The door was opened, and Cinna offered a little, unseen wave towards the trio as they stepped out into the December ice.

Nighttime was always colder than the day, as everyone knows, but this evening was practically glacial. Like the locker of a morgue, where bodies are stored before autopsy or reanimation, a chill mist seemed to envelop the entirety of the city as far as any of them could see. It was unnerving, to see a city so active with factories and various forms of life so frozen to the core, but now wasn't the time to comment on such things. They had some people to meet, and with Esthrielle dutifully leading the way, meet them they would.

Rounding the corner of the bathhouse's bare brick walls, Est's 'people' came into view. A long, expensive vehicle which subtly aped a hearse in its build sat pouring exhaust from its tailpipes, windows tinted an impenetrable black which matched its paintjob. Leaning against the vehicle were a pair of figures - a woman and a man. The woman was slim but deceptively strong, judging from the way her coat hugged her arms and torso; her skin was pale and her hair blonde, her eyes a piercing blue-nearly-white.

Everything about her was flawless: her hair was gorgeous and healthy, silken but with gentle curls near the tips; her skin was vibrant despite its ivory pallor, looking soft and supple and well-moisturized; her eyes were alert and present, the consciousness which they represented wholly aware of the surroundings and situation. Even her movements hid a subtle grace - speaking to the man openly in Italian, making gentle gestures with her hands to help convey herself, she held the machine-like perfection of all true adherents of the New Way.

The man, too, held this perfection which was nearly obscene. Long black hair, much like a waterfall tainted with tar, cascaded down to mid-back; his skin was an olive tone, paled from the nocturnal living Vitus demanded; his eyes, a vibrant, glowing gold, obvious LED replacements. His overall appearance was one of feminine beauty mingling with masculine power - a strong jawline, powerful but well-maintained brows, and elegant cheekbones accentuating a body both slender and strong. Either he was gifted by God, or had had an extensive amount of work done, but given his profession, either was just as likely.

Esthrielle's jaw dropped as soon as she saw the pair, and her stern demeanor of a woman marching off to die was replaced by childish glee. The hydraulics in her legs were gently audible in the still winter air as she raced over to the duo, hands immediately clutching at the black cotton trench coat which the man wore. She looked up at him as a puppy does its master, the smile on her face irrepressible, and if she had a tail, it would be wagging just the same. His stoic expression, lips wrapped about a cigarette, broke into a warm, affectionate smirk as he lowered his gaze to meet hers.

EJ and Purity hustled a bit more than they had been prepared for to keep up, reaching Esthrielle a few seconds after she had made her mark. The two in the black coats spoke with the white-haired Wayward in Italian, the language barrier unable to be crossed by the two UNAC natives who joined them, but from their tones, this wouldn't be such a confrontation as it had been portrayed. Moreso, it was a homecoming; a reunion. EJ felt her shoulders relax as the muscles in her body un-clenched, a breath she hadn't know herself to be holding released in a relieved sigh.

The three Italians spoke for a few more moments, culminating in the tall man leaning down to kiss Est on either cheek, and Est giving him the same with a bashful awkwardness. She then stepped back, gesturing towards Purity and EJ. She began to speak with an uncharacteristic rapidity, some ambrosia having been dribbled into her mouth from a distant Heaven to embolden her and revitalize her in the face of her associated.

"Ok! So! English now, please, I haven't had the time to... N-Nevermind! This is Esper James Price-Wynnfield, and her lover, Purity, uhh... French?" She looked inquisitively to Purity, who put a hand over her mouth to hide her soft laughter. "It's Francharde, Est. Purity Alouise Francharde. An honor to meet you, any associates of Est's are friends of ours." Purity gave a slight, curt bow, and EJ followed suit after a moment to process this all. The tall man nodded, going to take Purity's hand and raise it to his lips, placing a tender kiss on the back of it.

"Luca. Luca Esippardi. You know who we are, what we do... Where we are from. Expect no such discussion. We are here to collect Esthrielle, and, should you two be willing, you as well... Esthrielle has given many reports as to her life here in Vitus. We would like to speak with the both of you further." His dulcet, luxurious tones were as creamy and dreamlike as the finest caramel - something unnoticeable in his intonation, just below perceived speech, set the trio at ease. His gaze then turned to EJ, whom he nodded his head to, going to give her the same courtesy he had given Purity.

"Especially you, little ghoul. Esthrielle has spoken much of you. A sinner you may be, but not by choice, and while we are... Ill-suited to handling your kind in a social capacity, we will take Esthrielle's recommendation into consideration. I can assure you safety in our care." He capped this all off with a wink and a grin, his teeth just as immaculate as the rest of his appearance. EJ felt her knees wobble a bit at the gesture, and as the sudden turn of fortune.

They had been on the run, hiding from Tsang in a dirty, derelict warehouse, living off of discount street food, and now here were Est's people to show up and offer to take them in? Give them protection? Security? A place to hide that was, ideally, a bit more comfortable than a sleeping bag on the floor? It was nearly too much to believe, but given how happy Est was to see this pair, and how he and his female associate hadn't simply ventilated the ghoulette, Purity, and the bystanders at the bathhouse, she was willing to try. Willing to hope.

EJ nodded rapidly, her blonde locks catching the street-light as they whipped about in the air. "Y-Yes! I mean, uh, thank... Thank you, sir, Mr. Esippardi. I would be more than happy to discuss whatever you wish, tell you everything I know... Tsang are my enemies, too. I-I used to, used to work for them, I'm sure I could tell you somethi-" She was silenced by a single raised finger from Luca's hand, his grin still present, his demeanor that of a man accosted by over-eager pets.

"Just Luca will be fine. Esthrielle's reports say you prefer EJ, so I will use that. And yes, I am sure there is much you can tell us... But that will all be in due time. For now, the three of you look cold, and your clothes are old and worn. Back at the convent, we can help you. Esthrielle, I'm sure you have questions for me, too... I will answer them, I promise. It's the least I can do. Now. Everyone inside the car. Time is of the essence." The three disheveled women listened in rapt attention as Luca spoke, and when he had finished, it took him going to stride toward the shotgun door and slip himself in for them to break their trance.

In short order, the trio and the unfamiliar woman were each inside the vehicle. EJ, Purity, and Est sat in back - EJ in the middle because of how small she was - and the Italian woman went to drive. Once they were all in, no time was spared to ensure that they could buckle up - the car was already moving, taking to Vitus's streets and beginning to make its way towards wherever this 'convent' was located. The three women in the back were absolutely silent as they took in the interior of the vehicle, and even the rearview reflection of their chaperones - they paid little attention to the little tidbits and panels wherein hidden tech seemed to be stashed. Luca openly carried a machine pistol in his cupholder.

Allowed to look inwardly, and focus on her own thoughts, only one thing still pressed at Esthrielle's mind: Why was Luca here? What about Venezia? What about il Doge? Questions for later, she was sure... But how long was later?